Honorable Nicholas S. Lippincott, 75, of Upper Providence
Retired magisterial district judge, devoted husband and father

Nicholas Short Lippincott, 75, of Upper Providence, Delaware County, and Lloysville, Perry County, died April 13, 2024, after a brief yet tenacious battle with cancer.

A devoted husband and father, he was a brilliant yet humble man who enriched the lives of family, friends and colleagues with his encyclopedic knowledge of history, loyalty to friends, lively political discourse, dry wit, and his random drop-in visits with friends. He had a kind word for everyone he met.

Judge Lippincott was born on Nov. 9, 1948, in Media, the son of Edwin E. and Martha Louise Short Lippincott. He followed in his father's footsteps to pursue a life dedicated to the law.

Friends who visited him at his bedside called him "exceptional" and "unique" as he was a man of many talents and interests including antique cars, woodworking in the Shaker style, American history and classical music. He was in the process of reading a biography for every American president.

He served as a magisterial district judge in Upper Providence and Rose Valley for 18 years, presiding over thousands of criminal, civil and domestic cases with a keen legal mind and compassion for those who came before him, always attempting to improve people's lives.

He retired in 2018 and served as a senior judge in Delaware and Perry counties, always treating members of law enforcement, defendants and his staff with fairness, respect and compassion.

Judge Lippincott was born and raised in Upper Providence where he was a third generation of the township. He graduated from Episcopal Academy in 1967 and remained friends with a group called the "EA Wise Men" who shared spirited discussions during weekly Zoom sessions. Called a "Luddite" by close friends, he eschewed computers, modern phones and other technology.

He graduated from Dickinson College in 1971 and earned his law degree from Dickinson School of Law in 1977. He first practiced law with Stern and Lippincott in Harrisburg and later with the Mallon and Blatcher law firm in Media.

He had an excellent judicial temperament as he worked with members of law enforcement, the District Attorney's office and the community. In April 2005, he was specially assigned by the President Judge of the Court of Common Pleas to hear countywide drug cases in a new diversionary court program that aimed to get people challenged by drug addiction into treatment.

He shared 20 years of deep love, support and adventure with his wife, Trish Cofiell. In keeping with his love of history, they were wed in the medieval St. James Church in Luffincott, England, where a stained-glass window is dedicated to the "Lippincott family, formerly of Luffincott, now of Philadelphia, America." They also loved road trips to historic sites in America.

Mr. Lippincott was the devoted father of three sons, Thomas of Baltimore, Md., Benjamin, and John of Upper Providence. He was their anchor and passed his woodworking skills on to Tom and John. He is also survived by his sister, Louise (Tommie) Lippincott of Durango, Colo., and his stepson, Jake Spencer of Middletown. He was also the owner of a rescued black Labrador named Jazzy.

Lippincott was devoted to public service, serving as an Upper Providence Township commissioner. He was a member of the Delaware County Bar Association and volunteered his time in many civic and nonprofit endeavors including Tyler Arboretum, the Media Rotary, the Media Historical Society, the Pennsylvania Antique Car Club and the Perry County Historians.

An antique car enthusiast, he loved driving his 1936 Ford V8, his 1929 Ford Model A "Woody," and a BSA motorcycle. In 1967 he drove a 1954 Packard ambulance cross country from Media to California.

It was during his years at Dickinson in Carlisle, Pa. that inspired his love for Perry County, a rural community just over the Blue Mountain Ridge from Carlisle. As a young man he converted a one-room schoolhouse into his home before he returned to Upper Providence. In 2009, he bought Red Rock Farm, a modernized log cabin on 30 acres overlooking the Bistline covered bridge and Sherman's Creek. He loved the rural quality of life there where he befriended members of the Amish community, neighboring dairy farmers, local hunters and fishermen, and dear friends from the Laurel Run Tavern.

Judge Lippincott's life will be celebrated at a gathering Wednesday, April 24 at the Rigby Harting & Hagan Funeral Home, 15 E. Fourth St., Media. Calling time is from 4-5 p.m., then friends and family will be invited to share reminiscences and stories of their time with Mr. Lippincott from 5-6 p.m. All are welcome. For additional information visit www.haganfuneralhome.com .